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February 22, 2024

Protect PA Wilds waterways; use caution when removing ice or snow

In large doses, many popular snow and ice removal methods can be harmful to wildlife, plants, streams, and rivers. The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Chesapeake Bay Program give tips on how you can still remove ice from outdoor surfaces while being cautious about how it might affect the waterways and wildlife.

February 20, 2024

BIRD LORE: Birding without bells and whistles

For non-birders, and those just getting interested in birds, the idea of spending a lot of money on a pair of nice binoculars and a fancy Peterson’s Guide and learning how to tell eight different kinds of sparrows apart can seem intimidating. Here are some simple ways to identify common birds without binoculars, using indicators like shapes, colors, behaviors, and habitat.

February 16, 2024

The Golden Axe: Embracing the thrill of axe throwing

Clinton County’s entertainment scene has just been infused with a dose of exhilarating competition and shared laughter: The Golden Axe. This isn’t your rustic backyard axe toss! Located along the I-80 Frontier right in downtown Lock Haven is this state-of-the-art venue meticulously designed for an unparalleled axe-throwing experience. Owners Travis and Beth Moyer welcome both seasoned competitors and curious newcomers.

February 14, 2024

Reasons to love the PA Wilds

As we celebrate Valentine's Day, our hearts are filled with love... not just for our sweethearts, but also for the special place we call the PA Wilds! There are plenty of reasons to love this region: the awe-inspiring landscape that surrounds us, the family and friends we can share memories with, the creative endeavors of our PA Wilds entrepreneurs, tasty food and drinks, and all of the experiences you can have within a three-hour drive. Let’s take a moment and show some adoration and appreciation for the PA Wilds!

February 12, 2024

The Death Shout: A legend from the Pennsylvania Wilds

A legend in the PA Wilds says that when a Native American warrior was killed in battle, he would cry out a “Death Shout” which was heard in the afterlife and warned his predeceased friends that he was coming. Writer Lou Bernard shares the story of the Death Shout as told by Henry Wharton Shoemaker, a Clinton County writer and folklorist. Shoemaker wrote, “There were many strange stories clustered around the ‘Death Shout,’ some of them beautiful, others painfully sad.”

February 9, 2024

ATV Regional Trail Connector program will continue in the PA Wilds through 2025

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) says it will operate an ATV Regional Trail Connector through the 2025 riding season, following the conclusion of the ATV Regional Trail Connector in 2023. DCNR published an ATV Regional Pilot Report (PDF), which shares findings regarding the pilot on the department’s website.

February 8, 2024

Check out Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year and Trail of the Year in this PA Wilds town

For its second time in ten years winning the prestigious award, the Allegheny River in the western section of the Pennsylvania Wilds has been selected by a public vote as Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year. Just days after the River of the Year announcement in late January, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that Pennsylvania's 2024 Trail of the Year is the Trails at Jakes Rocks, a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest. The city of Warren is lucky enough to have both the Allegheny River and the Trails at Jakes Rocks, meaning that you can see both the 2024 River of the Year and 2024 Trail of the Year in one visit.

February 6, 2024

Easy ways to enjoy outdoor recreation at any age or physical ability

Outdoor recreation in the Pennsylvania Wilds isn’t limited to just highly physical activities like running, backpacking, mountain biking, or tent camping. If you’re looking for a low-impact way of getting some fresh air and daily exercise, there are plenty of ways to enjoy outdoor rec without breaking a sweat (or the bank).

February 2, 2024

Groundhog Day: The history of our favorite prognosticating whistle-pig

Each year, thousands of people flock to Punxsutawney on February 2nd, braving cold temperatures on a cold winter morning to see their favorite groundhog: Punxsutawney Phil, who predicts either an early spring or six more weeks of winter. If you ask anyone around Punxsutawney whether the tradition is real, they’ll give you a sly smile and tell you they’re a true believer. But whether this rodent really has mythical weather-predicting abilities or not, how did this strange tradition come to be?

February 1, 2024

Trails at Jakes Rocks named as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail Of The Year

The Trails at Jakes Rocks, a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year. The trails, located in the Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds landscape of the PA Wilds, are used primarily for mountain biking. However, other types of recreation such as hiking, trail running, and cross-country skiing are also permitted.